THE STORY:

Mesa, AZ, April 11, 2016– As part of a Commitment to Action for the Clinton Global Initiative University, Arizona State University graduate student, Millicent Michelle Pepion is participating in a fundraising event via CrowdRise.com ending December 31, 2016. Pepion is raising $150,000 for Native American Connections, a non-profit organization located in Phoenix, Arizona. Money will be used to provide childcare options for parents enrolled in the Intensive and Standard Outpatient Programs.

The Clinton Global Initiative University (CGI U), a program of the Clinton Global Initiative, brings together college students to address global challenges with practical, innovative solutions. CGI U participants do more than simply discuss problems – they take concrete steps to solve them by creating action plans, building relationships, participating in hands-on workshops, and following up with CGI U as they complete their projects. Since 2008, students have made more than 5,500 Commitments to Action. Previous CGI U meetings have taken place at Tulane University, the University of Texas at Austin, the University of Miami, the University of California at San Diego, the George Washington University, Washington University in St. Louis, and Arizona State University, and have convened more than 7,500 students from over 925 schools, 145 countries, and all 50 states. To learn more, visit cgiu.org.

Millicent Michelle Pepion, a graduate student at Arizona State University, was recently accepted in the CGI U for a Commitment to Action involving Native American Connections' (NAC) Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP). NAC website states they are committed to, “Improving the lives of individuals and families through Native American culturally appropriate behavioral health, affordable housing, and community development services.” IOP and SOP services offer clients 8 week programs designed to address substance abuse and addiction concerns while still living at home.

Currently, NAC does not offer childcare options for parents enrolled in either program. The stress of providing childcare for parents new to any recovery program is a barrier for success. To help address this problem Pepion submitted a Commitment to Action and was accepted in to the CGI U 2016.

Inspired by The CGI U 2016 Commitments Challenge, a Crowdrise.com fundraising event, Pepion has committed to fundraising $150,000 for Native American Connections with the specific purpose of providing childcare options for IOP and SOP clients. She has until December 31, 2016 to reach her goal.

"Hopefully this will be the second individual Commitment to Action I complete with the help of supporters,” Pepion states. In 2012, Pepion’s Commitment to Action involved travelling from Haskell wetlands to Washington D.C. to raise awareness about the protection of Native American sacred places.

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